Directory of Research

1. Risk and protective factors in the resettlement of imprisoned fathers with their families

This Big Lottery funded study looks at resettlement of fathers. The article considers previous studies which have shown that parental imprisonment is a risk factor in the development in familial relationships and conversely considers the benefits to viewing families with strong ties as a resource for protecting children of prisoners and reducing reoffending. The study is the first longitudinal study in the UK and Europe to investigate the positive and negative outcomes for parents and children using data collected from them. It considers the quality of family relationships, contact during imprisonment, communication and problem solving, parenting and care-giving, social support networks, stigmatisation, finances, employment, housing, participation in support programmes, health issues, social behaviour and other factors. The aim of the research is to increase knowledge of such processes and to assist the National Offender Management Service and third sector to develop more effective interventions for imprisoned fathers, their (ex)partners and their children. See Risk and protective factors in the resettlement of imprisoned fathers below: Click here

2. An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Pact's Kinship Care Support Service at HMP Holloway

This evaluation considers the effectiveness of Pact's Kinship Care Support Service (KCSS) at HMP Holloway. The service supports and advises families and friends who care for female prisoners' children and also supports the prisoners in contacting their children and their children's carers. The evaluation looks at both quantitative and qualitative data gained from the Mothers in prison, their kinship carers, a small number of children, Pact's staff and other related prison staff, professionals and members of other organisations. Key findings show that over one year there were 3000 service users reached and two thirds of these were ongoing. The highest area of need was information about visits and prison systems. Mothers also needed reassurance that their children had someone looking after them. With regards to this, the KCSS within Children's and Family Visits, group, one-to-one and telephone support were highly rated with the majority saying that they did not know where else they could have got such support. Prison staff also valued the KCSS role and its contribution to prisoner stability. Referrals, sign posting, partnership and policy development were also found to be strong. Further development was needed within information leaflets and when monitoring service user feedback and ethnicity. As the maintenance of family ties is widely recognised as a key factor in successful resettlement and rehabilitation, there is the need for the continuation of KCSS, which this evaluation has proved to be effective in contributing to support to prisoners, their children and kinship carers. There is also some evidence of successful resettlement outcomes. The evaluation recommends that such services should be extended to all female prisons and to primary carers in male prisons. See Evaluation of Kinship Care Support below: Click here

3. She just cries and cries: Case studies of Devon families with a father in prison

This report presents the case studies of 15 families in Devon where the father is in prison. The report aims to raise awareness of the emotional and practical impact that the imprisonment of a father has on his children and family, and also seeks to influence other agencies about the needs of these children. Based on in depth interviews with mothers and children, the report draws out some of the main impacts associated with having a father in prison - impact on the mother, impact on the children, maintaining invisibility, visiting and support. The report identifies learning points emerging from the interviews, which include poverty impacts on families, children knowing about prison and support networks. The report includes extensive quotes from the children and mothers interviewed. See 'She just cries and cries' below: Click here

4. Hidden Children, A study into services for Children of Incarcerated Parents in Sweden and the United States

This is an overview of best practice in provision of services for children and families of offenders in Sweden and the United States. The report reviews case studies which reflect on different apsects and stages of the countries' respective criminal justice systems (e.g. arrest, remand, court, sentencing, visits, support of children in women's prisons, parenting programmes, support for children of prisoners in the community and release) and how they might affect children of imprisoned parents. The case studies reviewed are compared to research in England and Wales and child centered policy and practice recommendations are made for the stages and aspects of the criminal justice system (noted above). See Hidden Children below: Click here

5. Prison based family support

This report is an evaluation of the effectiveness of the family support worker (FSW) role (which evolved from a partnership between Pact, who offer prison based support and Safe Ground who offer family relationships programmes to prisoners and families), which was piloted within 4 English prisons between 2009 and 2010. The aim of this was to test the potential for developing a viable responsive casework service to prisoners, their children, families and supporters, the programme was funded by the National Offender Management Service (NOMS, Ministry of Justice) and the former Department of Children, Schools and Families (now Department for Education) The extent of the FSWs potential is uncovered by reporting on quantitative and qualitative data gained from FSWs, prison staff, other professionals, prisoners, their families and supporters. The data is also used to inform the framework for a possible national model. Key findings are that there is a need for FSW services to be tailored depending on prison characteristics. Half of the 928 service users (SU's) reached, only required one liaison with the FSW. There was a wide diversity of SU's e.g. prisoner type, family/supporter type, gender and ethnic origin. More than half of all cases involved a referral to other agencies. The large majority of SU need was around Prisoner and family contact, followed by Emotional and mental health, Children and Parenting as well as Money management. All FSW services were highly rated and valued. Prison staff also reported that FSWs contributed to prisoners' stability. The evaluation concludes that there is a high need for the FSW role and appropriate training and customisation so that it can be extended across the prison estate. See this report on Prison based family support below: Click here

6. Experiences of Younger Siblings of Young Men in Prison

You will need a log in to Wiley Online Library to access the full article. In light of the extensive research into parent-child relationships in the context of imprisonment of either and knowledge of the negative effects this can have on both, this peer-reviewed article reports on the under researched social and psychological effects of having a sibling in custody. This research in particular was conducted to enhance understanding of the needs and experiences of children who have a sibling inside. It is based on qualitative psychological analysis of the accounts of eight young people between the ages of 9 and 17 who had an older brother in custody. The key themes identified are the emotional response to a sibling being taken into custody, hesitance in disclosing information to teachers and peers, and perceptions of their own behaviour when taking their siblings imprisonment into account. Findings are considered along side policy implications and recommendations for those working with young people in the area of criminal justice. Read about siblings' experiences of an older brother inside below: Click here